Passion for one’s own faith is a wonderful thing, but it can also become a trap – the closing of the mind to wisdom found in other faiths. For me, it’s important to keep the outer boundaries of faith permeable, because there is no way that sincere seekers across the globe are ignored by God, whatever name they call Him or Her. Their prayers will be answered, their sincere desire for divine connection rewarded, and I do not want to... Read more
Anyone who’s read many of my articles will be conscious that I sometimes struggle with mental health issues. They were the bane of my young life and to some degree remain a hurdle today. In this article, I’d like to explore whether or not the Gospel of Peace promises freedom to a person who has to navigate such difficulties, and if so, how is that achieved? First of all, I should say that it would be very strange for... Read more
The Bible presents men with an encyclopaedia of role models to be inspired by. The roll call of faith in Hebrews 11 showcases the faith of 14 men (not counting ‘the prophets’) but only 3 women, one of whom is unnamed in the text (Moses’ parents are commended as a unit rather than as individuals), another was a prostitute, and the third, Abraham’s wife Sarah, is briefly referred to in long paragraphs about her husband. Ironically, the reference is only... Read more
Earlier this year, contemporary worship came under relentless attack from a chorus of critics, labelling it a performance, entertainment, shallow, and false. The pummelling continued, calling for liturgy to replace the vibrant thrum of passionate communal worship. I disagreed, writing several posts on the topic – I love to worship and have always found it a natural place to rendezvous with my Lord. I love to bask in the Holy Spirit’s presence with other believers and be led as a... Read more
Self is an interesting concept from a Christian point of view. On the one hand, the Bible exhorts us to prioritise the needs of others over our own. Philippians 2:3-4, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. On the other hand, Jesus taught that loving ourselves is the essential foundation for loving others... Read more
Several years ago, I met a chap called Mick at a small group meeting. I’m highly sensitive to the emotions of others, and listening to this guy pray made my bones ache: “This is so, so difficult, but if it draws me closer to you, it’ll all be worth it.” Those words told me a lot – that Mick associated God with his pain, believing there was some kind of lesson he needed to learn before God... Read more
In the church of my youth, the Biblical principle of male headship was widely accepted. The Bible verses around it are quite clear, albeit written within a cultural context that is difficult for a modern reader to understand. 1 Corinthians 11: 3 But I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. As a married man, I find... Read more
In a recent article, I argued for full inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the Church – not half-inclusion, when we provide a welcome of sorts while banning members of that community from leadership roles and quietly believing there’s something fundamentally wrong with who they are, but full inclusion, along with a sincere apology for all the pain the Church has inflicted. The purpose of today’s follow-up piece is to examine the disastrous and painful consequences of continuing to... Read more
I recently posted an article on full, unconditional inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the Church, and was greatly perplexed by the responses. From my point of view, the discussion went like this: Me (by means of the article): ‘Inerrancy is forcing you to exclude the LGBTQ+ community, but it’s a false doctrine.’ Responses: ‘But the Bible says…’ In the politest possible way, I suggest this is missing the point. ‘The Bible says’ is not an... Read more
I recently heard a disabled preacher state that his disability was God’s will. As a disabled person myself, I can understand the temptation to think this way – there’s a perceived comfort in believing one’s particular limitations have a divine purpose, but for me, this is lazy and harmful thinking. If we pause even for a moment to consider the implications of this idea, it is cruelty made manifest. This particular chap might find comfort in the idea that... Read more
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